By Stephen Nellis, Jaspreet Singh and Deepa Seetharaman
July 10 (Reuters) - Apple on Friday sued OpenAI and two former employees, alleging misappropriation of its trade secrets to benefit the ChatGPT-owner's foray into consumer hardware, a dramatic escalation of already simmering tension between the two companies.
The complaint accuses OpenAI of orchestrating a broad effort to systematically acquire and exploit Apple's confidential information through former employees, ‌recruiting practices and supplier relationships to accelerate its push into the consumer hardware business.
"We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets," OpenAI said in a statement. "We remain focused on building innovative technology ‌that empowers people everywhere."
The lawsuit sets up a battle over who will control future AI devices that may not use traditional apps or operating systems — devices which, if successful, would direct consumer attention away from Apple's best-selling iPhone. ******* ysts believe OpenAI is working on a phone or other device of its own.